Blockchain, brainchild of the Anonymous founder/s of the World’s first crypto-currency, Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto is often referred to as “The Backbone of the new Internet”. Initially conceptualised in 2008 for Bitcoin, blockchain has found its use in several other fields.

WHAT IS BLOCKCHAIN?

Blockchain is an open and distributed ledger, which can record transactions between two parties in a verifiable and permanent way. Once recorded, the transaction data cannot be modified retroactively, without alteration of all subsequent blocks. This also allows users to verify and audit transactions without much cost.

Blockchain is a continuously growing list of records, linked and secured using cryptography (secret codes which prevent third parties or the public from reading the transaction data), wherein each Block contains a timestamp and transaction data, managed by a Peer-to-Peer, P2P (User to user) network.

Person A requests a transaction involving crypto-currency, records, contracts, or other information → The requested transaction is broadcast to a P2P network consisting of computers, known as Nodes → The network of Nodes validates the transaction and the user’s status, using known Algorithms → The verified transaction is combined with other transactions to create a new block or data for the ledger → The new block is then added to the existing blockchain, in a way that is permanent and unalterable → The transaction is complete.

Point to remember here is that the transaction data has no physical form, existing only on the network, and has no intrinsic value to third parties.

Quite simply, blockchain is an autonomously managed and regularly reconciled digital ledger, which can record not just financial transactions, but everything of value. Blockchain enables the exchange of value without any centralised intermediation by arbiters of money and information. It is a kind of a self-auditing ledger which reconciles itself every 10 minutes.

ADVANTAGE OVER CENTRALISED DATABASES:

Centralised data is controllable and hence the data is prone to manipulations and theft. On the other hand, in a blockchain, there are no centralised points of vulnerability for the information to be hacked and corrupted. Because of storing blocks of identical information across the network of the blockchain, it cannot be controlled by a single entity, has no single point of failure, and hence cannot be modified retroactively. Anything that happens on a blockchain is a function of the network as a whole.

Further, blockchain reduces the TAT of processes, and because of being distributed, it makes data transparent for everyone involved. Blockchain technology can help make even the traditional processes faster, more accurate, and secured, while drastically reducing the costs involved in Database Management.

The only reported problems in the blockchain technology have been due to human errors and bad intentions, and not because of any flaws in the technology.

APPLICATIONS OF BLOCKCHAIN IN INDIA:

The distributed nature of blockchain makes anything based on it more cost-effective, efficient, and secured. It can be used to upgrade many economic and social systems, like:

i. Banking:

Most, if not all, Banking systems are built around Centralised Databases. The costs, labour, time, and risks of frauds involved in reconciliation and processing of billions of transactions is a challenge that the Banking Industry, even after so many up-gradations, has not been able to address. The global success of Bitcoins and other crypto-currency has shown the Banking system how advantageous blockchain technology can be, when it comes to reducing online banking frauds.

Blockchain can provide the ultimate solution for solving the costs involved in KYC Verification, Due Diligence, and Credit Underwriting, by allowing the independent KYC verification, due diligence reporting, and credit history of an individual or a company done by one entity to be accessed by every other organisation. This can also be used for countering Money Laundering.

Blockchain can also make clearing and settlements faster, less expensive, and even more secured than it already is.

Many Banks have already invested a large amount in research related to migration of their Banking Systems on to Blockchain Network.

ii. Record keeping at Registrar of Properties:

Committing property frauds and use of black money for sale-purchase of properties can be drastically reduced if the existing system is upgraded to blockchain or a similar technology. Andhra Pradesh government has tied up with a Swedish start-up, Chromaway, to build a blockchain based Land ownership system, to eliminate land fraud and corruption.

iii. Data Management in Public Sector:

There has been a huge amount of debate about the safety and security of Aadhaar Databases, and fears of surveillance. Blockhain can eliminate these risks and also be used to store information related to birth, death, voter registration, issuance of PAN Card and Driving Licence, Ownership of vehicles, court cases, police complaints, etc. Individuals and other entities will own the data that belongs them.

iv. Stock Market trade:

Blockchain can reduce the risks of frauds and operational errors in Stock Market trading. Not to forget here that the transactions would become almost instantaneous. NASDAQ and Australian Securities Exchange are already exploring blockchain to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

v. Cloud Storage:

Blockchain provides the added security of data not getting lost or corrupted.

vi. Supply Chain:

Blockchain establishes a shared, secured record of information flows for the supply chain network. It enables faster, permissioned, and auditable B2B interactions between buyers, sellers, and logistics providers. The shared version of events improves supply chain efficiency, better multi-party collaboration, and streamlined resolutions in case of disputes.

vii. Healthcare:

Blockchain can help in tackling issues of counterfeit drugs, by tracing each transaction between drug manufacturers, wholesalers, pharmacists, and patients. It can also be used to improve and authenticate health records on sharing basis, for better treatment.

viii. Intellectual property:

Blockchain can be used to catalogue and store Intellectual Properties in a digitally secured manner. It has the potential to solve the problem of authentication of ownership for Intellectual Properties, and allowing owners to see who is using their work.

ix. Music Distribution:

Similar to Intellectual Property, musicians can catalogue and store their music in a digitally secured manner, and get paid as and when the music is purchased / played. In addition to this, collaborations and licensing will also become more efficient. It will work on the concept of Peer to Peer Music sharing, where the intellectual property rights of musicians are protected, and they are paid for their hard work.

x. Social Networking:

Blockchain can make social networking more private and profitable for the users. It can help users on social networking websites and apps decide which data to be made available for third parties to view and use, and get paid for it. Wouldn’t that be fun? This is not a dream, but a reality with Obsidian Messenger.

xi. Real-time Car Pooling:

Imagine a self-managed real-time ride sharing app, as an alternative to Ola and Uber, where drivers get rewarded for offering a shared ride. La Zooz’, an Israel based start-up is in its testing phase, and is expected to emerge as a cheaper alternative to Uber globally.

The understanding of blockchain among people, to a very large extent, is limited to bitcoins. However, in an era when India is witnessing innovative solutions using technology for structural problems, blockchain has opened the doors for Start-ups and Small Businesses to devise and adopt block-chain based solutions. If you are facing systemic or structural problems in your business, it would be wise to see if a blockchain based solution is feasible. After all, necessity is the mother of all invention!

Debt (Business Loan) and Private Equity funding options are readily available for start-ups working on Blockchain concepts.

Bitclub Network seems to be the latest in a wave of bitcoin mining income opportunities all around the internet. For a beginner it’s hard to discern from the real opportunities and the fake ones.

The first thing to know is the fact that crypto-currencies are real and mining them is completely legal and globally practiced business. It is based on computers doing complex mathematical equations to release the next chain of coins into the market.

It is completely legal to mine bitcoins all around the world and so are MLM (Multi Level Marketing) companies. The new wave of bitcoin mining income opportunities are mostly a mixture of these two concepts.

A clean and professional multi level marketing compensation plan and the unique product of a crypto-currencie mining.

Combine these two and you have for the first time on the internet, a truly legal passive income opportunity based on a real product with a real compensation plan.

Next time you hear about Bitcoins, Litecoins, Dodgecoins and others and the possible income opportunity, don’t be scared, this is just part of the new era of digital currencies and a more computerized world.

Everything is going virtual without a doubt. In the past, communication was all about writing and mailing. Today communication is all about writing and e-mailing. The only change is the “e”, as in, electronic.

Money is no exception. We started to use salt, foods and precious metals as money, later down the road it went to coins, then paper and finally, virtual money. Today we use credit cards, debit cards, echecks, ach and other forms of virtual money.

Bitcoins and other crypto-currencies are just an inevitable part of life as we know it. The way our race is evolving has led us to a more comfortable way of using money and that is digital money.

So next time you see that opportunity, embrace it. The chances are that you are going to be participating in something that can become the next PayPal or even better, the next United States Dollar.

As for Bitclub Network it is an opportunity to which many are afraid and I understand. We are scared of the unknown and sometimes afraid to try new things. It is only a fact that now over 500,000 people use bitcoin and this number is expected to hit 1,000,000 by the year 2015.

So which person are you going to be? The one standing on the sidelines or the one participating and building his own future?

The decision is yours to make.

Thanks for reading.

Over the past few months I have watched bitcoin’s value rise exponentially. I had no idea what bitcoin was and never even heard of crypto currency a few months ago. But with the recent government and media attention crypto currencies have received, they have gotten everyone’s attention.

Crypto currency or more simply digital money is gaining acceptance quickly all over the world as it makes transactions quicker and cheaper. These transactions are secured by cryptography and each transaction has its own signature or private key. With its rise in value and popularity everyone wants a piece of the action. There are two main ways to make money with bitcoin. The first is a pretty straightforward method of purchasing the coin as an investment and hope that its value increases. The second is the process of “mining” bitcoins. Once a transaction has occurred they are then verified over the network by “miners” using complicated algorithms. As a reward for their work they receive transaction fees and/or freshly minted bitcoins!

From an investing standpoint there is a big risk/reward factor as this currency is relatively new and has no intrinsic value causing volatility and big price changes. A positive fact is that there is a huge amount of money invested in this and companies are signing on to use this currency so we have no idea when its value will go back to zero!

“Mining” also has a big risk/reward factor. In the beginning of bitcoin, you used to be able to “mine” with an ordinary laptop or home computer. But now as more people are doing it the difficulty and power needed to “mine” increases. Bitcoins have a maximum amount that can be minted (21 million). And as we get closer and closer to 21 million the amount of bitcoin rewarded for each successful “mine” gets smaller and smaller. Now “miners” looking to be profitable have to invest in complicated high tech mining rigs and there is still no guarantee they will be profitable or even make their costs back.

There is a third and safer option, though. In any sudden happening that promises riches the most lucrative venture is selling the tool that helps produce these riches. For example, in a gold rush it would be the shovel and in “mining” for bitcoin it would be mining rigs or powerful graphic cards. If you can produce these or even get your hands on some cheap you would make a considerable profit flipping them. Unfortunately, only a select few have the luxury of choosing this option.

With people flocking towards the riches dangling in front of them the scam artists are having a field day as well. Read articles, browse the forums, watch the bitcoin market, and research your costs and ROI before even considering investing anything. In my opinion, you should do this for a few weeks before putting any money into play. This is an extremely volatile market and an even riskier investment.

But in the end, I think it all boils down to if you are willing to take the risk of losing it all, to perhaps make it big.

Are you?

For those who have not been following the saga of Crypto Currency, Bitcoin and Litecoin, it may come as a surprise that currencies with no intrinsic value remain a volatile commodity for investors. For those who have been keeping up with conversion rates for digital currency it is clear that the very volatility that has defined pseudo-currency is what is keeping investors interested in this field. Recent changes in the value of such currency as well as the bankruptcy of one of the biggest platforms in the world exchanging Bitcoins has called into question the future of this digital money. However, experts reassure those who want to use Crypto Currency, Litecoin and Bitcoin that the “fad” that led to digital money is probably here to stay.

A Short History of Bitcoin, Litecoin and Crypto Currency

Bitcoin and other forms of pseudo-currency are used as payments for transaction fees, products and services. Bitcoins or Litecoins can be exchanged for “real” currency at a given rate. Experts were concerned that Bitcoins and other digital currency might be used for illegal activity as they are much easier to exchange and “launder” than other forms of money. Bitcoin use was implicated in an illegal drug website, for example, and there may also be other examples of illegal use that have not yet been reported.

The value of these currencies has also been the subject of debate. Bitcoin values rose 90-fold in 2013, creating a “Bitcoin bubble” that deflated quickly in 2014. The sudden drop in value by about 50 percent has led to speculation that the pseudo-currency field is dying and soon will go the way of the dodo.

However, is it too soon to declare Bitcoin and Litecoin a failure? Experts disagree on the subject, but some claim that there is a place in tomorrow’s financial market for digital currency.

Bitcoin Problems and Solutions

The recent bankruptcy of Mt. Gox, the Tokyo-based exchange for Bitcoin and the largest Bitcoin exchange platform in the world, took most investors by surprise. Even more puzzling was the news that the equivalent of $400 million worth of coin had gone missing.

However, even the disappearance of six percent of the total Bitcoins in the world does not seem to have slowed the giant currency down much. Bitcoin continues to battle certain companies such as Apple due to the perception that the currency may not be legal, but a growing number of apps and programs accept Bitcoin with no problem.

Some experts see the bankruptcy of Mt. Gox as a step forward for Bitcoin. The underlying software is unchanged and many vendors are eager to get into the business of buying and selling using the digital currency. Further, these vendors claim that Mt. Gox was the problem and that most of the illegal activities related to Bitcoin stemmed from this organization, not from legitimate vendors and customers.

Check Your Values

No matter what happens in the future with Bitcoin, Litecoin and other forms of digital currency, one thing will not change: the need to find an instant answer to the question, “How much is my money worth?”

In order to learn this important fact, customers will have to have access to a reliable platform that updates the value of Bitcoins, Litecoins and other forms of Crypto Currency in real time.

The lightning network is a layer that exists on top of bitcoin. It is the latest invention being rolled out by the bitcoin community. This layer can be used as a payment protocol. This is made possible by the ability to transport its value through people. Clearly, bitcoin will be made both a transport layer and an application layer.

The lightning network has been applauded by many due to its potential to solve bitcoin scalability problem. It achieves this by enabling transactions between participating nodes. Also, concerns have been raised unto the legibility and importance of training people on the use cryptocurrency. It is argued that the training would go a long way into ensuring that those who take part in the crypto world are well informed of its activities. On that basis, COINBASE is a platform that recruits and trains merchants and consumers on the use of cryptocurrency. This article offers you information about recruitment on the lightning network, a layer on top of bitcoin.

The activities of coinbase include the selling and buying of cryptocurrencies. They also involve offering of secure storage. Since the lightning network is a new feature within the crypto world, it is important for all interested parties to grasp good knowledge about its operations. The network features a system known as peer-to-peer which has the ability to make micropayments. Essentially, the peer-to-peer system operates with digital cryptocurrency through a network of channels without leaving funds in the custody of third parties. Also important to note is that the lightning network is primarily built on payment channels. This was an idea borrowed from Satoshi Nakamoto, founder of bitcoin.

How the network functions

The network functions by allowing two people to put some bitcoins in a multisig address. This is followed by signing of transactions by the parties. These transactions have ability to alter the amount of bitcoins for which each party can redeem. However, either party has the ability to close the payment channel at any given time. The last-signed transaction containing the most updated balances for both parties is broadcasted and added into the bitcoin blockchain. The bitcoin block chain is a continuously growing list of records which are linked and secured using cryptography. This list is called blocks. Also notable is that a block chain is an open, distributed ledger which can be used to record transactions between two parties in a manner that is verifiable and permanent.

The lightning network developer effectively allows users to directly transact business, without broadcasting. Clearly, the operations are quite secretive since they aren’t broadcasted. This method has been found by many to save time spent during the transactions. At the same time the method has been applauded for avoiding expenses that are associated with the blockchain.

As the current trends in business unfold, it becomes clear that more people are interested in cryptocurrency. This is a reasonable trend no doubt because the coins’ worth is estimated to be on the rise. Real and solid knowledge of the currencies would be of great value if acquired before joining those already in the crypto world.

Over the past few years, people have been talking a lot about cryptocurrency. At first, this business sounded scary but people started developing trust in it. You may have heard of Ether and Bitcoin. They both are crypto currencies and use the Blockchain Technology for highest security possible. Nowadays, these currencies are available in several types. Let’s know more about it.

How Can cryptocurrency help you?

As far as fraud is concerned, this type of currency can’t be faked as it’s in digital form and can’t be reversed or counterfeited unlike the credit cards.

Immediate settlement

Buying real property involves third parties, such as lawyers and notary. So, delays can occur and extra costs may incur. On the other hand, Bitcoin contracts are designed and enforced in order to include or exclude third parties. The transactions are quick and settlements can be made instantly.

Lower fees

Typically, there is no transaction fee if you want to exchange Bitcoin or any other currency. For verifying a transaction, there are minors who get paid by the network. Although there is zero transaction fee, most buyers or sellers hire the services of a third-party, such as Coinbase for the creation and maintenance of their wallets. If you don’t know, these services function just like Paypal that offers a web-based exchange system.

Identification of theft

Your merchant gets your full credit line when you provide them with your credit card. This is true even if the transaction amount is very small. Actually, what happens is that credit cards work based on a “pull” system where the online store pulls the required amount from the account associated with the card. On the other hand, the digital currencies feature a “push” mechanism where the account holder sends only the amount required without any additional information. So, there is no chance of theft.

Open access

According to statistics, there are around 2.2 billion people who use the Internet but not all of them have access to the conventional exchange. So, they can use the new form of payment method.

Decentralization

As far as decentralization is concerned, an international computer network called Blockchain technology manages the database of Bitcoin. In other words, Bitcoin is under the administration of the network, and there is no central authority. In other words, the network works on a peer-to-peer based approach.

Recognition

Since cryptocurrency is not based on the exchange rates, transaction charges or interest rates, you can use it internationally without suffering from any problems. So, you can save a lot of time and money. In other words, Bitcoin and other currencies like this are recognized all over the world. You can count on them.

So, if you have been looking for a way to invest your extra money, you can consider investing in Bitcoin. You can either become a miner or investor. However, make sure you know what you are doing. Safety is not an issue but other things are important to be kept in mind. Hopefully, you will find this article helpful.

ICO is short for Initial Coin Offering. When launching a new cryptocurrency or crypto-token, the developers offer investors a limited number of units in exchange for other major crypto coins such as Bitcoin or Ethereum.

ICOs are amazing tools for quickly raining development funds to support new cryptocurrencies. The tokens offered during an ICO can be sold and traded on cryptocurrency exchanges, assuming there is sufficient demand for them.

The Ethereum ICO is one of the most notable successes and the popularity of Initial Coin Offerings is growing as we speak.

A brief history of ICOs

Ripple is likely the first cryptocurrency distributed via an ICO. At the start of 2013, Ripple Labs began to develop the Ripple payment system and generated approximately 100 billion XRP tokens. These were sold through an ICO to fund Ripple’s platform development.

Mastercoin is another cryptocurrency that has sold a few million tokens for Bitcoin during an ICO, also in 2013. Mastercoin aimed to tokenize Bitcoin transactions and execute smart contracts by creating a new layer on top of the existing Bitcoin code.

Of course, there are other cryptocurrencies that have been successfully funded through ICOs. Back in 2016, Lisk gathered approximately $5 million during their Initial Coin Offering.

Nevertheless, Ethereum’s ICO that took place in 2014 is probably the most prominent one so far. During their ICO, the Ethereum Foundation sold ETH for 0.0005 Bitcoin each, raising almost $20 million. With Ethereum harnessing the power of smart contracts, it paved the way for the next generation of Initial Coin Offerings.

Ethereum’s ICO, a recipe for success

Ethereum’s smart contracts system has implemented the ERC20 protocol standard that sets the core rules for creating other compliant tokens which can be transacted on Ethereum’s blockchain. This allowed others to create their own tokens, compliant with the ERC20 standard that can be traded for ETH directly on Ethereum’s network.

The DAO is a notable example of successfully using Ethereum’s smart contracts. The investment company raised $100 million worth of ETH and the investors received in exchange DAO tokens allowing them to participate in the governance of the platform. Sadly, the DAO failed after it was hacked.

Ethereum’s ICO and their ERC20 protocol have outlined the latest generation of crowdfunding blockchain-based projects via Initial Coin Offerings.

It also made it very easy to invest in other ERC20 tokens. You simply transfer ETH, paste the contract in your wallet and the new tokens will show up in your account so you can use them however you please.

Obviously, not all cryptocurrencies have ERC20 tokens living on Ethereum ‘s network but pretty much any new blockchain-based project can launch an Initial Coin Offering.

The legal state of ICOs

When it comes to the legality of ICOs, it’s a bit of a jungle out there. In theory, tokens are sold as digital goods, not financial assets. Most jurisdictions haven’t regulated ICOs yet so assuming the founders have a seasoned lawyer on their team, the whole process should be paperless.

Even so, some jurisdictions have become aware of ICOs and are already working on regulating them in a similar manner to sales of shares and securities.

Back in December 2017, the U.S. Securities And Exchange Commission (SEC) classified ICO tokens as securities. In other words, the SEC was preparing to halt ICOs they consider to be misleading investors.

There are some cases in which the token is just a utility token. This means the owner can simply use it to access a certain network or protocol in which case they may not be defined as a financial security. Nevertheless, equity tokens whose purpose is to appreciate in value are quite close to the concept of security. Truth be told, most token purchases are made specifically for investment purposes.

Despite the efforts of regulators, ICOs are still lingering in a grey legal area and until a clearer set of regulations is imposed entrepreneurs will attempt to benefit from Initial Coin Offerings.

It’s also worth mentioning that once regulations reach a final form, the cost and effort required to comply could make ICOs less attractive compared to conventional funding options.

Final words

For now, ICOs remain an amazing way to fund new crypto-related projects and there have been multiple successful ones with more to come.

However, keep in mind everyone is launching ICOs nowadays and many of these projects are scams or lack the solid foundation they need to thrive and make it worth the investment. For this reason, you should definitely do thorough research and investigate the team and background of whatever crypto project you might want to invest in. There are multiple websites out there that list ICOs, we recommend checking this ICO calendar if you’re interested to invest in a crypto project.

Questions have arisen unto whether bitcoin is turning into a multilayered system. Well, the answer is yes. This article seeks to outline the various layers onto which bitcoin lies on. It’s all yours!

Have you heard of those who refer to bitcoin as digital gold? Clearly, the crypto-currency is quickly gaining popularity and acceptance in the crypto world. The value of the coin is estimated to rise higher. However, it is also noted that the coin can gain or lose 50% of its value overnight. This causes speculations amongst investors but the coin is nevertheless a ”digital gold”. And to the question of whether bitcoin is a multilayered system, it should be known that bitcoin exists on two main layers. These are the mining and the semantic layers.

The mining layer

This is the layer in which the coin is created. Besides bitcoins, ether is also created in this layer. After creation of the coins, valid blocks of bitcoins are transferred to the ledger. Here, currency generation is done. It should be noted that the currency is generated from transactions which are contained in the blocks of bitcoins. The blocks are known as transaction fees. The currency can also be generated from the network itself, or you can say ”from the thin air”. The main advantage of generating currency from the network is that is provides incentives to the miners.

The Semantic Layer

This provides a very important platform. The semantic layer is the layer in which bitcoins are used as a means of payment. It also provides a platform for bitcoins to be used as a store of value. The layer seems very important, isn’t it? The holders of bitcoin currency sign the valid transactions which signal the start of transferring the bitcoins among the nodes at the semantic layer. The transfer can also be made possible by the creation of smart contracts. The smart contracts transfer the coins between different accounts.

The lightning network

You’ve probably not heard of the lightning network. This is the latest invention being rolled out by the bitcoin community. This layer will have the ability to run on top of bitcoin. With this invention, there will come an application layer that is on top of bitcoin. It will be so exciting. The most interesting aspect is that its value can also be used to make payments. This will be made possible by transporting its value between people. With the invention of the lightning network, bitcoin will become a transport layer as well as an application layer.

As of today, the value of bitcoin is estimated to be about $9 billion US. It also known that bitcoin is a decentralized cryptocurrency. This means that it works without the control of a bank or an administrator. Bitcoin is surely taking over the crypto world.

Also of importance, is that the technology used during mining of bitcoin is called blockchain technology. It works by allowing the distribution of digital information, and not copying. Cryptos are really an exciting topic and in the near future bitcoins could overtake our mainstream currencies.

One of the many goals when crypto currency (CC) was first invented was to establish a secure digital system of transaction. The technology used was Blockchain, and still is. Blockchain systems were designed to be impervious to problems often found with online financial systems using older technology – – problems such as account hacking, counterfeit payment authentications, and web site phishing scams.

Blockchain itself runs on peer-to-peer global record-keeping networks (distributed ledgers) that are secure, cheap, and reliable. Transaction records all around the world are stored on blockchain networks, and because these records are spread out over the whole community of users, the data is inherently resistant to modification. No single piece of data can be altered without the alteration of all other blocks in the network, which would require the collusion of the majority of the entire network – – millions of watchdogs. BUT – what if a website looks like it is providing you a gateway to a legitimate crypto coin exchange or crypto wallet product, but is really a website designed to trick you into divulging information? You don’t have the security of Blockchain at all – you just have another phishing scam, and there is a need to be protected from all this.

MetaCert is a company that says it is dedicated to keeping internet users safe, and its main security product can be used to protect enterprises from a range of malicious threats, and now they have a product designed to keep CC enthusiasts safe. This new product is called “Cryptonite” and it is designed to be installed as a browser add-on. Current browsers rely on SSL certificates that show users a small padlock in the browser address bar. Users have been told for years that SSL Certificates assure you that a website is authentic – not so fast – phishing sites use SSL Certificates too, so users can be fooled into thinking a website is legitimate when it is not. Once added to your web browser Cryptonite will show a shield next to the address bar. This shield will turn from black to green if a website is deemed to be “safe”. MetaCert says they have the world’s most advanced threat intelligence system with the world’s largest databases of classified URL’s for security.

Staying safe is always a good thing, but more safety products may be needed in future as technology marches forward, at an ever increasing pace. On the horizon is Quantum Computing (QC), which is showing great promise. QC is touted by many to be one of the biggest technological revolutions of the modern era. By harnessing the power of quantum mechanics, QC machines will be able to take on much more complex tasks, and to achieve speeds previously unattainable. Traditional computers are based on a binary model, using a system of switches that can be either on or off, represented with a 1 or a 0. QC’s are different in that their switches can be in both the on and off positions at the same time, which are called ‘superpositions.’ This ability to be in two simultaneous states is what makes QC’s so much faster. Google announced over two years ago that the quantum prototype they possess was 100 million times faster than any other computer in their lab. The development of this technology is pushing ahead at an increasingly fast rate. The first marketed quantum computer was produced in 2011 by the California based company D-Wave. D-Wave’s machine was equipped with a processor that contained 16 quantum computing units, called QUBITS. Since then, industry leaders like IBM and Microsoft have announced their own quantum programs. This trend will lead to an exponential scaling up of the number of QUBITS these new machines can handle over the next several years. While quantum computing holds the potential for significant advancements in many spheres, and for providing innovative solutions to some of the most complex problems, it will surely generate a need for improved security, as these machines will also have the power to assist hackers with their dastardly deeds. Protection and security will always be needed in the crypto currency space, same as with all other on-line spaces.

Stay Tuned!

The statistics could no longer be ignored. Most ICOs tank, and stay tanked, once the tokens get to the crypto exchanges, after the frenzy and ‘FOMO’ attending the crowdsale is over.

Most watchers keeping track of the ICO phenomenon universally agree that the trend in the last few months has been for ICOs to lose value post-crowdsale, with many buyers waiting in vain for the ‘moon’ they were promised, once the cryptocurrency hits an exchange portal.

What is however not being discussed is the principal reason why we are witnessing this phenomenon, and what participants in a crowdsale, including the rating companies most of us rely on to make a choice, must be doing wrong in picking which ICO have most value, or has the best probability of rising in value once the crowdsale is over.

While there are a lot of reasons one could legitimately proffer for the phenomenon, there is one fact that I think is probably more responsible for this than most other contending reasons: ICO token valuation and the misplaced emphasis on ‘blockchain experts’, ‘ICO advisors’ or ‘technical whizkids’ for erc20 tokens.

I have always thought the need for blockchain technical experts or ICO technical advisors is exaggerated, or even outrightly misplaced, when a project is judged by that criteria, unless the project is actually trying to create a brand new coin concept. For most ERC20 Tokens and copycat coins, the real important consideration should be the Business Plan behind the token and the managerial antecedents and executive profiles of the Team leaders.

As anyone involved in the industry should know, creating an ERC20 token from Ethereum, or similar tokens from other cryptocurrencies, does not take any great technical skill or require any overrated blockchain advisor (as a matter of fact, with new software out there, an ERC20 Token can be done in less than 10minutes by a complete technical newbie.

So technical should no longer even be a big deal for tokens anymore). The key should be the business plan; level of business experience; competence of the project leaders and the business marketing strategy of the main company raising the funds.

Frankly, as an Attorney and Business Consultant of over 30 years myself to several companies globally, I cannot I cannot understand why people keeping looking for some Russian or Korean or Chinese ‘Crypto Whiz’ or ‘Crypto Advisor’ to determine the strength of an ICO for what is basically a crowdfunding campaign for a BUSINESS CONCEPT…

I am of the strong opinion that is one of the major reasons why most ICOs never live up to their prelaunch hype. In an era where there is an abundance of token creation software, platforms and freelancer, the disproportionate focus on the blockchain experience or technical ability of the promoters is mostly misplaced. It’s like trying to value the probable success of a company based on the ability of its staff to create a good website or app. That train left the station long ago with the proliferation of technical hands on freelancing sites like Guru; Upwork, freelancer and even Fiverr.

People seemed too caught up in the hype and the technical qualifications of people promoting an ICO, particularly ERC20 Ethereum based tokens and then wonder why a technically superior Russian, Chinese or Korean guy cannot deliver the business end of the company after the fundraising campaign.

Even a lot of our ICO Rating companies seemed to allocate a disproportionate number of points to crypto experience of team member, how many crypto advisors they have, and the ICO success experience they have on their team, rather than focusing on the underlying business model to be created with the funds raised

Once one understands that over 90% of the cryptos and ICOs out there are simply tokens created to raise crowdfunds for an idea, and just not a token for token’s sake, then peoples emphasis will shift from technical angles, to the more relevant work of evaluating the business idea itself, and corporate business plan.

Once we move into this era of evaluation before deciding whether to buy or invest in a cryptocurrency, then we will start valuing future prospects or value of our tokens based on sound business considerations such as:

– Swot Analysis of the company and its promoters

– Managerial competence and experience of the team leaders

– The soundness of business idea beyond the creation of a token

– The marketing plan and strategy of the company to sell those ideas

– The ability to deliver the underlying products to the marketplace

– The customer base for the products and services to be created by the company

– and basis for projecting adoption in the market place

What most people failed to realize is that the potential for their tokens to rise in value post ICO is not so much dependent on anything technical but on the good things happening in the company raising the funds and the perceived increase in the valuation of the company as it rolls out its business plan and delivers on its business products.

Of course, buying cryptocurrency is not buying stock, and it’s not buying the security in any company. We get that, but tokens react much the same way as stocks react to good news or bad news about a company. The only difference is that in the case of cryptos, the effect is magnified a 100 fold.

So, when a company meets some financial or business milestone, the price of its token on the exchange will go up… and it goes down fast when nothing good is happening. So, what the company will do and how it will do it after the ICO should of the utmost importance to anyone who does not want to see the value of his Tokens plummet and stay down forever.

Sure, tokens most tokens would plummet once the tokens hit a crypto exchange after the ICO, because of those who want to take immediate profits, but whether it would ever come back up to give you the expected multiple digit profits will always depend on the criteria I already outlined above. After you have purchased a token, the value of the ‘crypto advisor’s and ‘technical whizkids’ go to zero in relation to the potential of your tokens to moon.

Following this reality, I think a smart crypto buyer or investor should focus less on how many crypto advisors a project has or how technically sound the team is (unless the underlining business of the company is technical in nature) and focus more on the managerial, marketing and potential customer base of the company raising funds through an ICO.

In other words, allocate more points on the business and management side of the ICO rather than the technical jargons which won’t help your token in the marketplace when the money has been raised!